our team

Jessica Brubaker | Co-Founder and President, #bettereveryday

Jessica Brubaker is a mom, daughter, friend and co-worker. With her husband, Reed, she co-founded #bettereveryday in 2016 to help pay forward the love and generosity they were given by others during her own journey with breast cancer.

An eternal optimist, Jessica believes there is good in every situation, and she seeks to help others find that good, in their own way, in their own lives, every day.

A native Coloradan, Jessica has spent much of her adult life in the mid-west before embracing the opportunity to move to her happy place – Northern California – with her husband Reed, and their three daughters.

Reed Brubaker found himself in the middle of the world’s worst April Fools’ joke the day his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. A realist at his core, her journey showed him that good can come from the most unexpected of situations and places, a realization that led him to help co-found #bettereveryday with Jessica in 2016.

Dr. Arti Lakhani | Secretary, #bettereveryday

Grateful, curious, doesn’t sweat the small stuff, lover of chocolate and peanut butter (eaten together at the same time), lives by the Golden Rule.

Arti A. Lakhani, MD is board certified in the fields of Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology and currently practices hematology/oncology in the Chicagoland area. She is also trained in Integrative Medicine and has established an Integrative Oncology Department, one that incorporates evidence-based complementary and alternative methods into cancer care. She met Jessica just days after her diagnosis and – serving as her oncologist – guided her through her treatment in a way that aligns with her mission to not only treat disease, but to improve quality of life and empower the patient to take an active role in their personal health. It was this approach that created a forever-bond between Jessica and Arti, resulting in her ongoing support of #bettereveryday.

Jill Manata | Utility Advisor, #bettereveryday

Inspired by Jessica’s story, Jill joined the team in support of enabling #bettereveryday. Jill applies her career experience in corporate responsibility, public affairs and stakeholder engagement to the cause, advising on strategy, operating procedures, communications and sponsorships. Her lifelong motivation has been to make a positive difference.

Hayden Brubaker | Shipping Manager, #bettereveryday

As her first official after-school job, Hayden loves sending #bettereveryday chemo care totes. She makes sure every tote is sent off with lots of love and hugs to help make the recipient’s day. Her goal is to send more totes this year than there are days.

Mike MacKenzie | Volunteer, #bettereveryday

Husband, dad, loyal friend, prayer warrior, class clown

Having known and worked with Jessica for a number of years, Mike has been and always will be a member of Team Jess. Inspired by her journey and the grace and strength she has provided others along the way, Mike is part of the team to help amplify her energy so that others may experience #bettereveryday. A faith-filled family man, Mike is thankful for and humbled by the opportunity to assist Jess, Reed, their family and friends in this mission.

Send a #bettereveryday chemo care tote

If you know someone facing chemo as a part of their journey to get #bettereveryday, let us know. We’d love to send them a #bettereveryday chemo care tote to let them know we’re cheering for them. Click here to nominate them to receive a tote.

Support #bettereveryday

Our programs are fully-funded by donations from generous people like you, local and national companies. Click here to learn more about the various ways you can support our efforts.

DONATE: #MAKEBETTERPOSSIBLE

As we say, you and your generous support truly #makebetterpossible. If you’d like to help us continue this effort, click here to make a one-time or monthly donation.